Light bar mounting foot having a light

ABSTRACT

A mounting foot for mounting a light bar on a roof of a vehicle includes at least one platform. The platform includes a recess for slidably receiving a base of a light assembly to mount the light assembly on the platform. The light assembly has a base fixedly secured to the platform and a light enclosure rotatably connected to the base of the light assembly.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a mounting foot for a lightbar.

Emergency vehicles, such as police cars, ambulances, security vehicles,often have a light bar mounted on the roof for signaling to pedestriansand other motorists. One way to mount the light bar on the roof is theuse of spaced apart mounting feet disposed on lateral sides of thevehicle. The mounting feet are secured to the roof of the vehicle andthe light bar is mounted on the mounting feet.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect, a mounting foot for mounting a light bar on a roof of avehicle comprises a body having an outer longitudinal end, oppositesides, and a top surface. During use, the outer longitudinal end of thebase is generally adjacent a lateral edge of the roof. At least oneplatform is adjacent the outer longitudinal end of the body. Theplatform has an upper surface below the top surface of the body. Theplatform comprises a recess for slidably receiving a base of a lightassembly to mount the light assembly on the platform.

In another aspect, a mounting foot for mounting a light bar on a roof ofa vehicle comprises a base having an outer end, opposite sides, and agenerally planar top surface. At least one platform is adjacent theouter end of the base. The platform has a generally planar upper surfacegenerally parallel to and below the top surface of the base. A lightassembly has a base fixedly secured to the platform and a lightenclosure rotatably connected to the base of the light assembly.

In yet another aspect, a mounting foot for mounting a light bar on aroof of a vehicle comprises a body having an outer longitudinal end,opposite sides, and a top surface. When the light bar is mounted on theroof of the vehicle using the mounting foot, the outer longitudinal endof the base is generally adjacent a lateral edge of the roof. At leastone platform is adjacent the outer end of the body. The at least oneplatform has an upper surface below the top surface of the body. Aconnecting plate has a light bar connecting portion for securement to alight bar to mount the light bar on the mounting foot. The connectingplate also has a bracket connecting portion for securement to a mountingbracket to mount the mounting foot on the roof of the vehicle.

In a further aspect, a light assembly for a platform of a mounting footcomprises a base adapted to be slidably received on a platform of themounting foot. A light enclosure houses a light rotatably mounted on thebase.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointedout hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a mounting foot for a light bar includinglight assemblies mounted on platforms of the mounting foot;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of the mounting foot of FIG. 1 with the lightassemblies removed;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the mounting foot of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the mounting foot of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a section of a platform of the mounting foot taken in theplane defined by the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of a light assembly for the mounting foot;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the light assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a left elevational view of the light assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is a bottom plan view of the light assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective of the light assembly being receivedin a recess of one of the platforms of the mounting foot;

FIG. 10 is a partial longitudinal section of a base of the lightassembly received in the recess of the mounting foot;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the mounting foot of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a perspective of the light bar mounting on the mounting footwhich is mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial perspective of a light bar mounted on themounting foot which is mounted on a roof of a vehicle;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the light bar, mounting foot androof of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a perspective of another embodiment of a mounting foot;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of a light bar mounted on a roof ofa vehicle using the mounting foot or FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective of another embodiment of a light assembly witha light enclosure exploded from a base plate; and

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the base plate of FIG. 17.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, a mounting foot for mounting a light baron a vehicle is generally indicated at 10. The mounting foot includes abody, generally indicated at 12, and a pair of platforms, generallyindicated at 14, extending laterally from the body. An optional lightassembly, generally indicated at 16, is mounted on each of the platforms14.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the body 12 of the mounting foot 10 has an outerlongitudinal end 18A and corresponding end margin, which are disposedadjacent a lateral edge of a roof of a vehicle when the foot 10 is inuse (see, for example, FIGS. 13 and 14). An inner longitudinal endmargin 18B and corresponding end margin are spaced from the lateral edgeof the roof when the foot 10 is in use. A top surface 20 of the body 12is generally planar for supporting a light bar 102 (FIGS. 12-14).Referring to FIG. 4, a width WOE of the top surface 20 at the outer endmargin is less than the width W_(IE) of the top surface at the inner endmargin such that the top surface narrows from the inner end 18B to theouter end 18A. Opposite lateral side walls 22 (only one of which isshown in FIGS. 1-3) extend downward from the top surface 20 of the body12. As shown best in FIG. 3, the side walls 22 are beveled from theouter end margin toward the inner end margin to profile the lateralslope of the vehicle's roof. Opposite rails 23 extend upward from thetop surface 20 of the body 12 at the side walls 22. The rails 23 contacta bottom surface of the light bar 102 when the light bar is mounted onthe foot 10. The rails 23 have a height of about ⅛ in. The body 12 ofthe mounting foot 10 may be constructed of plastic or other suitablematerial and may be formed by injection molding, for example.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 11, a metal connecting plate, generallyindicated at 24, is secured to a bottom surface of the body 12 (FIG.11). The connecting plate 24 has opposite outer and inner end margins24A, 24B (FIG. 11), respectively, and a light bar connecting portion 25disposed between the end margins. The connecting plate 24 is bent orotherwise formed such that the connecting portion 25 is substantiallyparallel to and elevated above the end margins 24A, 24B. The end margins24A, 24B include locating openings 26 for receiving locating pegs 26Aextending downward from the bottom of the foot 10 (FIG. 11). When thelocating pegs 26A are received in the locating openings 26, the lightbar connecting portion 25 extends through a rectangular openinggenerally in the center of the body 12 so that the light bar connectingportion 25 is substantially flush with the top surface 20 of the body.The light bar connecting portion 25 is generally rectangular withlateral aligned fastener openings 27 for receiving a carriage bolt orother fastener (not shown) extending from the light bar 102 to securethe light bar to the mounting foot 10. The connecting plate 24 alsoincludes a bracket connecting portion 28 (FIG. 11) at the outer endmargin 24A of the plate disposed below the body 12. The bracketconnecting portion 28 includes a fastener opening 29 for receiving asuitable fastener (e.g., a bolt and nut) for securing the mounting foot10 to a metal mounting bracket 100 (FIGS. 12-14) to mount the foot 10 onthe vehicle's roof. Thus, when assembled, the light bar 102 is directlysecured to the metal connecting plate 25, which is secured to thevehicle via the mounting bracket 100, and the mounting foot 10 issandwiched between the light bar and the connecting plate. In this way,the components holding the light bar 102 on the vehicle (i.e., the lightbar connecting plate 25, and the mounting bracket 100) are allconstructed of strong, rigid metal, such as steel, to ensure the lightbar is adequately secured to vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the platforms 14 of the mounting foot 10 projectlaterally from lower portions of the side walls 22 at the outer endmargin of the body 12. The platforms 14 are essentially mirror images,and therefore, for convenience, only one of the platforms will bereferred to in the following description. The platform 14 is disposedhorizontally below the top surface 20 of the body 12. An upper surface30 of the platform 14 is generally planar and generally parallel to thetop surface 20 of the body 12. The platform 14 has an outer longitudinalend 32 contiguous with the outer end 18A of the body 12 of the mountingfoot 10, and an opposite inner end 34.

Referring to FIGS. 2-6, a recess 36 for receiving a base plate 46 of theoptional light assembly 16 is formed in the upper surface 30 of theplatform 14. Alternatively, the recess 36 and the base plate 46 may bean integral, unitary structure with the platform 14. Moreover, the lightassembly need not be received in the recess 36; for example, a plate,similar to the base plate 46, not associated with a light assembly maybe positioned within the recess 36. The recess 36 is defined by agenerally planar bottom surface 38 and a U-shaped wall 40 running alongthe perimeter of the bottom surface. The U-shaped wall 40 defines anentry 41 (FIG. 2) at the outer end 32 of the platform 14 for receivingthe light assembly 16. For purposes discussed below, spaced apart ledges42 project inward from the wall 40 around the perimeter of the recess36. The ledges 42 are vertically and generally uniformly spaced from thebottom surface 38 defining the recess 36 to define a pluralities ofgrooves 44 (shown best in FIG. 5), which together define a track runninglongitudinally along the U-shaped wall 40 adjacent the bottom surface(FIGS. 2 and 5). It is understood that alternatively, the platform maycomprise a single, continuous ledge, instead a plurality of ledges, todefine the track or groove.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the light assembly 16 comprises a base plate,generally indicated at 46, for being slidably received in the recess 36of the platform 14 to mount the light assembly on the platform. The base46 has a generally planar upper surface 48 and a U-shaped periphery withan outer end 50 and an arcuate inner end 52. A light enclosure 54,including a light source L housed within the light enclosure, isrotatably mounted on the upper surface 48 of the base 46. The lightenclosure 16 has a generally U-shaped periphery having a light cover 56at a front end, an arcuate rear end and a generally planar top surface58. The light sources L of the illustrated embodiments comprise either asingle halogen lamp or three LEDs, although it is contemplated that thesource may have other arrangements.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 10, an axial shaft 60 rotatably connects thelight enclosure 54, including the light source L, to the base 46 toallow the light enclosure and the light source to rotate about the base.As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the axial shaft 60 is laterally offset from alongitudinal axis L_(B) of the base 46, thereby offsetting the lightenclosure with respect to the base. In this way, the light enclosure 54and the light source L are centered with respect to the platform 14, notthe recess 36, when the light assembly 16 is mounted on the platform.The axial shaft 60 is secured within a through hole in the base 46 andis rotatable within the hole about its longitudinal axis, which definesa rotational axis of the light enclosure. For example, the axial shaft60 may be a bolt that is threaded into the light enclosure 54 but notthreaded into the opening of the base 46. The axial shaft 60 may besecured to the base 46 in other ways that allow the axial shaft tofreely rotate about the base. Alternatively, the light enclosure 54 maybe rotatable about the shaft 60, and the shaft may be fixed to the base46.

Referring still to FIGS. 7, 8A and 10, the light enclosure 54 alsoincludes a threaded locking fastener 62 extending through either a firstcurvilinear slot 64 or a second curvilinear slot 66 formed in the base46 and threaded into the light enclosure 54. Together the first andsecond slots 64, 66, respectively, define a path of rotation of thelight enclosure 54. It is understood that the path of rotation may bedefined by a single slot. It is believe, however, that using oneelongate slot instead of the combination of two (or more) separate slots64, 66 to define the path of rotation may compromise the structuralintegrity of the base 46. The locking fastener 62 is adapted to beconfigurable between a locked position, in which it is fixed within theslot 64, and an unlocked position, in which it is able to slide withinthe slots 64, 66 as the light enclosure 54 is rotated about itsrotational axis. Thus, to configure the fastener 62 into the lockedposition, the fastener is threaded further into the light enclosure 54such that a head of the fastener is clamped against the base 46.Moreover, to switch slots 64, 66, the locking fastener 62 is removedfrom the respective slot to allow the light enclosure 54 to be rotatedto a position above the other slot where the fastener can be threadedback into the light enclosure.

The locking fastener 62 allows a user to selectively fix a radialposition of the light enclosure 54 relative to the base 46 to preventrotation of the light enclosure. The light enclosure 54 may be rotatablefrom a first radial position to a second radial position along thecurvilinear slots 64, 66. The maximum degree of rotation A defined byends of the curvilinear slots 64, 66 may be between about 45 degrees and150 degrees and more specifically about 120 degrees. Other ways offixedly securing the radial position of the light enclosure relative tothe base and preventing the light enclosure from rotating with respectto the base are within the scope of this invention.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, longitudinal notches 68 formed in thesides of the base 46 extend adjacent the outer end 50 of the base towardthe inner end 52 of the base to define tongues 70 extending laterallyfrom lower portions of the base. The notches 68 do not extend throughthe outer end 50 of the base 46 to define stop members 72 at the outerend. The tongues 70 are sized and shaped to be slidably received in thetrack defined by the grooves 44 of the recess 36. Thus, to insert thebase 46 into the recess 36 of the platform 14, the inner end 52 of thebase is aligned with the entry 41 at the outer end 32 of the platform.The base 46 is slid into the recess 36 such that the tongues 70 of thebase slide within the track of the recess until the stop members 72 atthe outer end 50 of the base contact corresponding ledges 42 adjacentthe outer end 32 of the platform 14. At this time, the base 46 is fullyreceived in the recess 36 (as shown in FIG. 1) and the outer end 50 ofthe base is substantially flush with the outer end 32 of the platform 14to make a substantially planar-looking surface. Moreover, the uppersurface 48 of the base 46 is substantially flush with the upper surface30 of the platform 14 (FIG. 1) to make a substantially planar-lookingsurface.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, an arcuate tab 74 extends downward from the base46 at the outer end 50. The tab 74 is sized and shaped to be received inan arcuate recess 76 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) formed in the outer end 32 ofthe platform 14 when the base 46 is fully received in the recess. Thetab 74 has a fastener opening 78 extending therethrough (FIGS. 8 and 9),and the platform 14 has a similar fastener opening 80 (FIG. 5) incontiguous relationship with the arcuate recess 76. The fasteneropenings 78, 80 are aligned when the tab 74 is received in the arcuaterecess 78. A suitable fastener 82, such as a bolt (FIG. 9), may beinserted through the aligned openings to fixedly secure the base to theplatform. Other ways of securing the base 46 within the recess 36 of theplatform 14 are within the scope of this invention.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 10, a central portion of a bottom surface 83of the base 46 is recessed to define a foundational wall 84 (FIG. 8A)adjacent the outer end 32 and the opposite sides of the base. When thebase 46 is received in the recess 36 of the platform 14 (FIG. 10), thefoundational wall 84 contacts the bottom surface 38 defining the recess36 and the bottom surface 83 of the base is spaced from the bottomsurface of the recess to define a chamber 86. The side of the base 46adjacent the body 12 of the mounting foot 10 is notched to allow wiresextending from the light enclosure 54 to enter the chamber 86. Thechamber 86 allows for the wires to be hidden underneath the base 46. Awire opening 88 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 10) extends through the bottom surface38 and the U-shaped wall 40 adjacent the body 12 of the mounting foot 10to receive the wires. The foundational wall 84 adjacent the body 12 ofthe mounting foot 10 extends longitudinally to the wire opening 88 butdoes not extend past or otherwise cover the wire opening. As shown inFIG. 11, the wires W₁ run from the chamber 86 through the wire opening88 to outside the chamber. The wires W₁ run to second chambers 89 whichare defined by respective sides 22 of the mounting foot 10, ribs 89Aextending downward from the foot and removable plates 89B (only oneplate is illustrated in FIG. 11 for illustrative purposes). The plates89B are secured to mounting foot using fasteners, such as screws,threaded into fastener openings 89C of the mounting foot. Each wire W₁is connected to a second wire W₂ within the second chamber 89 by a quickconnect attachment QC. The second wires W₂ are connected to a powersource (not shown) within the light bar. Ground wires G also run out ofthe wire openings 88. The ground wires G run to connecting plate 24where they can be attached (i.e., grounded) to the carriage boltsextending from the light bar 102 using a ring-type terminal RT, forexample. This arrangement allows for the wires to be hidden within thechamber 86 to not only protect the wires from environmental elementssuch as rain and dirt, but also to provide an aesthetically pleasinglook to the mounting foot.

As can be appreciated, appropriate dimensions of the base 46, the recess36, the grooves 44, the tongues 70 and the foundational wall 84 areinterdependent to ensure that the base is snugly received in the recess,the chamber 86 is large enough for the wires, and the appropriatesurfaces of the base are flush with the corresponding surfaces of theplatform 14. Other necessary interdependent dimensions may also benecessary to provide a well-functioning and an aesthetically pleasingmounting foot 10.

The platform 14 is beveled at its lower surface (FIG. 3) so that it hasa slope substantially the same as the slope of the side walls 22 of thebody 12 of the mounting foot 10 to correspond to the slope of thevehicle's roof. Referring particularly to FIGS. 5, 10 and 11, africtional member 90 secured to the lower surface of the platform 14prohibits movement of the mounting foot 10 on the vehicle's roof. Fins92 extend downward from the lower surface of the platform 14 to define aplurality of channels 94. The frictional member 90 includes a press-fitconnector 95 adapted to be secured within one of the channels 94 definedby adjacent fins 92 to secure the frictional member to the platform 14.Other ways of securing the frictional member 90 to the platform arewithin the scope of this invention. For example, the frictional member90 may be molded onto the platform 14. The frictional member 90 may beconstructed of a rubber or other material suitable for both impartingfrictional forces on the vehicle's roof and not scratching or otherwisedamaging the roof. Other ways of preventing movement of the mountingfoot 10 on the vehicle's roof are within the scope of this invention.

Referring to FIG. 12-14, in use, a pair of mounting feet 10 are placedon a vehicle's roof 98 such that each outer end 32 of the feet areadjacent a corresponding lateral edge 98 of the roof and the feet aresubstantially laterally aligned. The feet 10 are secured to the roof 98using mounting brackets 100 secured to the vehicle, such as under therain gutter, and the bracket connecting portions 28 of the connectingplates 24. A suitable fastener may be inserted through fastener holes ofthe mounting brackets and into the fastener holes 29 of the connectingplates 24. Other ways of securing the mounting feet 10 to the vehicle'sroof are within the scope of this invention.

The light enclosures 54 and associated light sources L are selectivelypositioned in selected radial positions with respect to the bases 46before being mounted on the platforms 14. The locking fasteners 62 areloosened into their unlocked positions and the light enclosures 54,including the light sources L, are rotated about their rotational axesto their selected positions. The locking fasteners 62 are then tightenedinto their locked position to fix the selected positions of the lightenclosures 54. The bases 46 of the light assemblies 16 are slid into therecesses 36 of the platforms 14 via the entries 41 so that the bases ofthe light assemblies are partially received in the recesses. The wiresrunning from the light enclosures 54 are inserted through the wireopenings 88 in the bottom surfaces 38 defining the recesses 36, at whichtime the bases 46 are slid further into the recesses so that they arecompletely received therein. The bases 46 are fixedly secured in therecesses 36 by inserting the fasteners 82 into the aligned fasteneropenings 78, 80 of the arcuate tabs and the arcuate openings,respectively.

Once the light assemblies 16 are mounted on the platforms 14, a lightbar 102 is mounted on the mounting feet 10 using appropriate fastenersand the bar connecting portion 25 of the connecting plate 24. When thelight bar 102 is mounted on the feet 10, the bottom surface of the lightbar is spaced a vertical distance D₁ from the planar top surfaces 58 ofthe light enclosures 54. The vertical distance is small, such as about ⅛in to give the entire assembly an integral look. A spacer (not shown)may be disposed on the top surface 20 (e.g., on the light bar connectingportion 25 of the connecting plate 24) to space the light bar a greaterdistance from the light assemblies 16. For example, a spacer having awidth of about ⅛ in would provide a total vertical distance between thelight bar 102 and the light assemblies 16 of about ¼ in. Also, one ormore of the light assemblies 16 may be removed while the light bar 102is secured to the mounting feet 10 by unfastening the appropriatefastener 82 and sliding the corresponding base 46 out of the recess 36.For example, one or more of the light assemblies 16 may be removed toadjust the radial position of the light enclosure 54 and light source Lor may be removed to replace the light assembly with a different type oflight or no light.

As can be seen, mounting the light assemblies 16 on the platforms 14 atan elevation below the elevation of the light bar 102 providesmulti-level signaling. This multi-level signaling allows the lightassemblies 16 to be used as alley lights or takedown lights, forexample, without negatively affecting the visual performance of thelight bar 102. Moreover, because the light assemblies 16 are slidablyreceived horizontally within the platforms 14, the light assemblies canbe easily replaced without having to remove the light bar 102 from themounting foot 10.

It is understood that the order of the steps of the process may bedifferent than disclosed. For example, the light bar 102 may be mountedbefore the light assemblies 16 are mounted on the platforms 14.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, another embodiment of the mounting foot isgenerally indicated at 104. This mounting foot 104 is similar to themounting foot 10 of the previous embodiment, and therefore correspondingparts and components will be identified by corresponding referencenumerals. The difference between the mounting foot 104 and the previousmounting foot 10 is that the present mounting foot spaces the light bar102 a greater vertical distance D₂ (FIG. 16) from the light assemblies16 when the light bar is mounted on the foot. The greater verticaldistance D₂ ensures that the light bar 102 is spaced an adequatedistance from the light assemblies 16 so that the heat emitting from thelight assemblies does not melt or otherwise adversely affect theintegrity of the mounting foot, especially when the mounting foot isconstructed of a plastic material.

To create this greater vertical distance D₂, first rails 106 have aheight of about ⅜ in, which is about ¼ in greater than the correspondingrails 23 of the previous embodiment. Moreover, a second rail 107 extendsupward from the outer longitudinal end 18A of the mounting foot 104 andconnects ends of the first rails 106, and projections 108 extend upwardfrom the top surface 20 of the mounting foot 10 and surround the centralrectangular opening. The second rail 107 and the projections 108 haveheight of about ¼ in. Accordingly, when the light bar 102 is mounted onthe mounting foot 104, the bottom surface of the light bar rests on thefirst rails 106, the second rail 107 and the projections 108 to spacethe light bar a vertical distance D₂ of about ⅜ in (FIG. 16).

Alternatively, the mounting foot 10 may include a separate spacer member(not shown) that is sized and shaped to rest on the top surface 20 ofthe body 12 to increase the vertical distance D₁ between the lightassemblies 16 and the light bar 102. For example, the spacer member mayhave a height (or thickness) of about ⅛ in. In addition, the spacermember may include openings adapted for alignment with the fasteneropenings 26 in the bar connecting portion 25 of the connecting plate 24for receiving the fasteners extending from the light bar 102.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, another embodiment of the light assemblyis generally indicated at 108. The light assembly 108 is similar to thelight assembly 16 of the previous embodiment, and therefore,corresponding parts will be indicated by corresponding referencenumerals. One difference is that the base plate 46 of the present lightassembly 108 includes a T-shaped notch 110 at the inner end 52 of thebase plate. The T-shaped notch 110 is adapted to hold the wires W₁ inplace while the base plate 46 is being slid into the recess 36 so thatthe base plate will slide over the wires and the wires will be locatedin the chamber 86.

Referring to FIG. 18, another difference between the present lightassembly 108 and the previous light assembly 16 is that a ramp 112surrounding the first and second slots 64, 66 of the base plate 46slopes upward toward the outer end 50 of the base plate (i.e., at thefirst slot 64). The ramp 112 may slope an angle S between about 0.5degrees and about 1.0 degree. When the light enclosure 54 is pivoted onthe base plate 46, it slides up along the area 112. It has been foundthat when the light enclosure 54 is pivoted toward the outer end 50 ofthe base plate 46, the light enclosure tends to move downward between0.5 degrees and 1.0 degrees. Thus, the ramp 112 offsets this downwarddisplacement and maintains the light enclosure 54 substantially athorizontal and parallel to the top surface 20 of the mounting foot 10.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferredembodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products,and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description and shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

1. A light assembly for a platform of a mounting foot comprising agenerally planar base being slidably received in a groove on theplatform of the mounting foot, the base having a longitudinal axisextending between outer and inner ends of the base; a light enclosuremounted on the base and housing a light, the light enclosure beingrotatable with respect to the base about a rotational axis that isnormal to the planar base and laterally offset with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the base; and a tab extending downward from theouter end of the base for use in securing the light assembly to themounting foot, the tab being sized and shaped to be received in a recessdefined by the mounting foot, the tab defining an opening for receivinga fastener to secure the light assembly to the mounting foot when thebase is received on the platform.
 2. The mounting foot as set forth inclaim 1 wherein the base includes a T-slot for receiving wires from thelight enclosure.
 3. The mounting foot as set forth in claim 1 whereinthe base includes a ramp for moving the light enclosure upward relativeto the base as the light enclosure is rotated on the base.
 4. A mountingfoot for mounting a light bar on a roof of a vehicle, the mounting footcomprising: a body having an outer longitudinal end, opposite sides, anda top surface, wherein during use the outer longitudinal end of the bodyis generally adjacent a lateral edge of the roof, at least one platformadjacent the outer longitudinal end of the body, the at least oneplatform having an upper surface below the top surface of the body andan outer end generally adjacent to the outer longitudinal end of thebody, said platform having a recess in the upper surface of the platformextending through the outer end of the platform, a light assemblyincluding a base slidably received in a groove of the recess of theplatform and a light enclosure mounted on the base, the base having agenerally planar upper surface substantially flush with the uppersurface of the platform and an outer end substantially flush with anouter end of the platform, a tab extending downward from the outer endof the base for use in securing the light assembly to the mounting foot,the tab being sized and shaped to be received in a recess defined by themounting foot, the tab defining an opening for receiving a fastener tosecure the light assembly to the mounting foot when the base is receivedon the platform.
 5. The mounting foot as set forth in claim 1 furthercomprising a track for guiding the base of the light assembly as thebase is being slidably received in the recess of the platform.
 6. Themounting foot as set forth in claim 5 wherein the base of the lightassembly includes a tongue extending laterally outward from the base,and wherein the track is sized and shaped to slidably receive the tongueof the light assembly.
 7. The mounting foot as set forth in claim 6wherein the track runs generally parallel to the upper surface of theplatform along a wall of the platform defining the recess.
 8. Themounting foot as set forth in claim 1 wherein a friction component isdisposed on a lower surface of the platform for providing slip-resistantcontact between the mounting foot and the roof of the car.
 9. Themounting foot as set forth in claim 8 wherein friction component isadapted to secure to the lower surface of the platform by press fitconnection.
 10. The mounting foot as set forth in claim 4 wherein thelight enclosure is rotatably mounted on the base.
 11. A mounting foot asset forth in claim 1 in combination with a light bar mounted on the topsurface of the mounting foot, the light bar having a longitudinal endmargin disposed over the light enclosure of the light assembly so thatthe light assembly is between the platform and the light bar.
 12. Amounting foot for mounting a light bar on a roof of a vehicle, themounting foot comprising: a body having an outer end, opposite sides,and a generally planar top surface; at least one platform adjacent theouter end of the body, the platform having a generally planar uppersurface generally parallel to and below the top surface of the body, alight assembly including a base removably secured in a groove of theplatform and a light enclosure rotatably connected to the base of thelight assembly, a tab extending downward from an outer end of the basefor use in securing the light assembly to the mounting foot, the tabbeing sized and shaped to be received in a recess defined by themounting foot, the tab defining an opening for receiving a fastener tosecure the light assembly to the mounting foot when the base is receivedon the platform.
 13. The mounting foot as set forth in claim 12 whereinthe light enclosure is rotatable in a rotational plane generallyparallel to the upper surface of the platform between a first positionand a second position.
 14. The mounting foot as set forth in claim 13wherein the first and second positions are offset an angle of betweenabout 1 degree and about 120 degrees.
 15. The mounting foot as set forthin claim 13 wherein the light enclosure has a generally planar topsurface that is generally parallel to and either disposed below orgenerally coplanar with the adjacent top surface of the body.
 16. Themounting foot as set forth in claim 12 wherein the platform includes arecess for receiving the base of the light assembly and the base of thelight assembly has a planar top surface that is generally coplanar withthe top surface of the platform when the base is received in the recess.17. The mounting foot as set forth in claim 16 wherein a bottom surfaceof the recess of the platform and a bottom surface of the base of thelight assembly at least partially define a chamber for receiving a wireextending from the light assembly.
 18. The mounting foot as set forth inclaim 17 wherein a wire opening extends through the platform at thebottom surface of the recess for receiving the wire therethrough. 19.The mounting foot as set forth in claim 18 wherein the mounting footincludes a second chamber on the underside of the body for receiving atleast a portion of the wire extending through the wire opening.
 20. Themounting foot as set forth in claim 19 wherein the second chamberincludes a removable plate for allowing access to the wire.
 21. Themounting foot as set forth in claim 12 wherein the base is slidablyremovable from the recess.
 22. A mounting foot as set forth in claim 12in combination with a light bar mounted on the top surface of themounting foot, the light bar having a longitudinal end margin disposedover the light enclosure of the light assembly so that the lightassembly is between the platform and the light bar.